"There is always an inspiration waiting to be found."Functioning as Human Factor Researcher at IDEO in Shanghai, Ge Jin works with translating research into innovative design.In this, he has discovered the importance of learning from subcultures and understanding the offline context when interpreting online stories.

"Data won't tell us what to do."Is more data really helping humanity make better decisions?Even though everything is measurable, and almost everything we do is generating data, human problems often require illogical approaches.Erika Hall, Senior Strategist at Mule Design, reminds us that in order to meet real human needs, we need to approach the data we collect with empathy - seeing not only the facts, but the story.

Only when we understand human properties are we able to communicate with humans properly and give ourselves the possibility to play on and with human behavior. Therefore we open The Conference with a session where a brain scientist, a psychologist and an expert in microbiota in the human gut will share their insights on what drives us as humans from their very different angles.Daniel Margulies, Max Planck InstituteDaniel will present research into how spontaneous fluctuations in brain activity modulate how we experience the world around us.Caroline Jönsson, Sport PsychologistCaroline is taking on the hearts’ perspective and will talk about motivation and fear.Elaine Hsiao, Senior Research Fellow, CaltechSenior Research Fellow in the Division of Biology and Biological Engineering at the California Institute of Technology, where she leads a research laboratory studying how the microbiota impact health and disease.http://theconference.se/

"We have evolved with trillions of microorganisms that inhabit the human body."Everybody has, at one point, wondered what we as humans are and are made of. Elaine Hsiao, Senior Research Fellow at the California Institute of Technology, responds to the latter with a simple answer: microorganisms.They are also referred to as "the forgotten organ", since not a lot of people are actually aware that more than 10 000 unique species of microbiota inhabit every exposed surface of the body. Not only do these play important roles in biological processes - they also impact behaviour, health and disease.

"The ultimate power is decision."Sport psychologist and former football player Caroline Jönssonlooks into human driving forces from the heart's perspective and explains the nature of human motivation.What is it really that drives us? This is a frequently asked question, especially in sports, that cannot be generally answered. The main driver depends on the individual's own values. But following our hearts is something that we all should have in common, because that is what gives us ultimate fulfillment.

"The mind is anything but silent!"To be able to understand human behaviour, the activity level of the brain is vital. Did you know that the brain is always active, no matter what we are doing?Daniel Margulies, brain scientist at the Max Planck Institute,presents insights on how spontaneous fluctuations in brain activity are connected to how we experience the world around us. As you get more into it, you will understand how these fluctuations balance internally oriented and externally oriented attention.

"Infrastructure is only something you notice when it stops working."Internet is more than just what you interact with online. With miles of fiber lines and future ways of providing wireless connection, the major online companies are moving beyond tech into infrastructure while we are losing access.Artist and writer Ingrid Burrington brings up the question on how we can use the infrastructure to take control of our own communication.

"Coders are the modern day artists."The what, why and how of learning how to program. Like painting with a blank canvas, programming can help you make reality of the ideas in your head.Mattan Griffel, co-founder of One Month, argues that by brute-force learning you can quickly pick up coding skills that allows you to manipulate the world around you, instead of being directed by the ones who can.

"We need to demand more of the digital platforms that gather our data."Through advanced algorithms and how we interact online, the major digital platforms are turning our behaviour into personal data. Although they are becoming more transparent, how can we make this data more legible to us?Listen to Sara M Watson, internet critic at Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard, talk about how we can make sense of the data behind the scenes with digital tools and plugins as well as personal interventions.

"Memories need to be used."Memory techniques teaches us how to use our imagination to store information more powerfully, making our memories last longer.While explaining the basic foundations for Memrise, an online learning platform focusing on memory training, Ed Cooke - himself Grand Master of Memory - learns us how to become better at remembering with the help from a few essential tricks.